Samuel L Jackson to play villain in The Secret Service

Director Matthew Vaughn's chosen his villain for his Secret Service comic book adaptation, and it's none other than Samuel L Jackson...

As one adaptation of Mark Millar's comic books gears up for its cinema appearance - this month's Kick-Ass 2 - along comes news of another. Currently being put together by Millar's friend Matthew Vaughn, who directed the original Kick-Ass and X-Men: First Class, The Secret Service is due out in 2014.

About an espionage organisation and a veteran spy training a young protégé, The Secret Service has been gradually assembling a sterling cast over the past few months. Colin Firth and, reportedly, Michael Caine are among the big names, with relative newcomer Taron Egerton said to be playing that young spyling mentioned earlier.

The most recent addition to the cast? The great Samuel L Jackson, who'll be playing the villain. He's an exciting choice, particularly compared to the other actors Vaughn was rumoured to be approaching - Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Cruise. While the latter pair could have brought plenty of charisma, they probably couldn't have matched Jackson's talent for glowering menace.

Filming's set to begin on The Secret Service later this year. Will Mark Hamill be in it, as he was in the comic? We certainly hope so. More news on this as it comes in.